HHS announces grants for teen pregnancy prevention programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that $155 million in teen pregnancy prevention grants are being awarded to states, non-profit organizations, school districts, universities, and others. These grants will support the replication of teen pregnancy prevention programs that have been shown to be effective through rigorous research as well as the testing of new, innovative approaches to combating teen pregnancy.

“Teen pregnancy is a serious national problem and we need to use the best science of what works to address it”

"Teen pregnancy is a serious national problem and we need to use the best science of what works to address it," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "This investment will help bring evidence-based initiatives to more communities across the country while also testing new approaches so we can expand our toolkit of effective interventions."

The funds come from two different programs:

• $100 million comes from the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program, funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, and administered by the Office of Adolescent Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. These funds were awarded through a competitive process to a broad range of grantees. $75 million was awarded to 75 grantees to replicate evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs that have been shown to be effective through rigorous evaluation. $25 million was awarded to 27 grantees to test innovative strategies. (Eight of these grants focus on community-wide interventions and will be administered in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
• $55 million comes from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), funded under the Affordable Care Act and administered by the Administration for Children and Families. Of this amount, $45 million was awarded as formula grants to the 46 states (including D.C.) and territories that applied for funding. Under the statute, states must use these funds for programs that replicate evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention strategies and incorporate other adult responsibility subjects, such as maintaining healthy relationships, improving communication with parents, and financial literacy. The programs supported by states must incorporate lessons about both abstinence and contraception. The remaining $10 million was awarded competitively to a broad range of grantees to test innovative approaches to reducing teen pregnancy and repeat pregnancy among those under the age of 21.

"These grants address a major problem facing American young people and their families," said Secretary Sebelius. "Teen pregnancy short-circuits the futures of young parents and their children. It is critical that we work with states and communities to give our young people the tools and information they need to make wise decisions that will ensure their health and success."

The competitive grants awarded under both of these programs are going to a diverse set of organizations. For a full list of grantees by state visit www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/09/teenpregnancy_chart.html.

The Affordable Care Act included funding for states to support programs promoting abstinence, and more than $33 million is being issued today for abstinence programs in 29 states and Puerto Rico.